Telo's Tiny Electric Pickup Is Nearly Here, But It Won't Be Cheap
The electric pickup market is in a state of transition. Instead of chasing ever-larger, more expensive trucks, several manufacturers are betting that smaller, more practical models will appeal to a wider audience. One of the most intriguing is the Telo MT1, a compact electric pickup that remains on track for its first customer deliveries later this year. Despite its miniature dimensions, the MT1 promises specifications that rival much larger pickups. The catch is that you'll still have to pay a premium for something that looks more like a city car than a traditional workhorse.
Small Footprint, Surprisingly Big Capability
Founded in California in 2022, Telo Trucks developed the MT1 to address a growing problem: modern pickups have become too large for many urban environments. Measuring just 151 inches (3.84 m) long, the MT1 is actually shorter than a Mazda MX-5 Miata and Mini Cooper, yet it features a five-foot load bed that's larger than the one found in the Ford Maverick, and equal to the Toyota Tacoma's bed. A configurable bulkhead also allows owners to carry longer items while keeping the tailgate closed.
The cabin comfortably seats five adults, while buyers can choose between a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 300 hp or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup with 500 hp. Telo says the flagship model will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around four seconds. Two battery options are available: a 77 kWh pack with a claimed range of 260 miles and a larger 106 kWh battery capable of travelling up to 350 miles on a charge. The MT1 can also tow up to 6,600 lb and carry as much as 2,000 lb of payload. Perhaps even more impressive is its 400 kW charging capability, a scarce feature usually reserved for EVs that cost double as much, like the Lucid Gravity and BMW iX5.
Starting MSRP of More Than $40,000
Pricing starts at $41,520 for the rear-wheel-drive model and climbs to $46,019 for the dual-motor version. That means you could almost buy two Slate Trucks for the price of a single MT1. Slate's back-to-basics electric pickup, complete with crank windows and a 205-mile (330 km) driving range, is aimed at budget-conscious buyers and commercial fleets with its $24,950 starting price. Even so, the MT1 remains considerably more affordable than today's most expensive electric pickup, the Rivian R1T Quad Motor, which starts at $115,990.
The timing could also work in Telo's favour. Large electric pickups have struggled to gain widespread acceptance because their massive battery packs drive up prices and dramatically reduce towing range when hauling heavy loads due to their added weight. The Tesla Cybertruck has become one of the best-known examples of those compromises.
Small Electrified Pickups, The Next Big Thing
The industry is increasingly shifting toward smaller, more affordable lifestyle pickups. Ford even discontinued the F-150 Lightning last year in preparation for a compact electric replacement expected to start at around $30,000 when it arrives in 2027. Hybrid pickups are also gaining momentum, particularly outside North America. Models such as the Chinese-built BYD Shark have demonstrated that electrified trucks can deliver impressive performance, even out-accelerating American rivals such as the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado in comparable specifications.
Whether the MT1 succeeds remains to be seen, but they have made it clear they will enter the market later this year. If you're looking for a compact electric pickup that doesn't sacrifice practicality or performance, Telo may offer exactly what you're looking for. As long as your wallet is fat enough, that is.
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This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 4:40 PM.